The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-17
Spirited Contest Over the Proposition to
Publish Series of School Text Books
at the Expense Of the State.
Democrats Aid Republicans in Making
Record Against Senator Smith.
A Serious Breach Appears in the Hitherto
TyraHnical Majority-A Variety of
Legislative Matters in Brief

day, to give the old soldiers of the Grand Army
Of the Republic the privileges of the floor. 1t
was abe 1T an hour before that large dep
utation from the Indiana department, with its
commander. Gen. Thomas W. Bennett leading,
came into the House, and, with something Of
the old time military accuracy, fled through the
several aisles until in front of the Speakers desk
appeared the crowd of battIe-scarred veterans.
The ceremonies were simple. being confined to
formal introduction to Speaker Sayre and the
House of the commander and veterans by Rep
resentative Crosse. General Bennett, thanking
the Representatives for what had been done for
fhe soldiers in providing for the Soldiers and
Sailors Orphans Home and for the many ex
pressons Of interest in the cause of the veter-
ans. read memorial asking for the passage of
the bill appropriating 5000, 600 foFthe soldiers
monument 1t was the unanimous request of
the Grand Army of the Republic that this should
be done. Representative Linck supplemented
the memorial with one expressing the wish of
all soldiers. inclusive of those in the Grand
Army, that the monument should be erect
I'd with State aid. Representative Gardiner
thought it would be mark of special honor to
the veterans to have the bill advanced so as to
permit its passage at once under a suspension of
the rules. but motion to this effect failed to
cure the necessary two-thirds vote, and the bill
got no further than engrossment, as some con-
bidered it greater honor to the soldiers to have
the appropriation made in due course Of bust
ness. The scene throughout was not wanting "a
the stirring sentiment and keen regard thai be-
long by right to the defenders Of their country.
And in the complete suspension of business that
R~ll1 90 III
teem passed between the honored visitors and
their representatives. Directly afterwards. the
same scene occurred in the Senate, where the
welcome was none the less cordial The
memorials were read, and following the formal
proceedings, in which Senator Mcdonald acted
n master of ceremonies, adjournment came to
allow tho soldiers and Senators to mingle in
groups and enjoy the courtesies of the time.
In both houses the desire to talk was the
most noticeable part Of the proceedings, and yet
neither Representatives nor Senators had very
prolific themes. 1t is not bothersome to legis-
lator though, to let his tongue run riot when the
presiding officer is kindly disposed to give full
limit. 1t was done in the House on the Pleas
ants bill to provide for the publication Of school
text books and their uniform use by the State.
Representative Pleasautss idea is that spoilers,
readers, Biographies, histories. and book or
two of scientific character should be compiled
under the direction Of the State Board of Edu-
work. but the copyright should be owned by the
State. To this arrangement he would attach q
cumbersome system of distribution whereby the
pupils could get books at cost, from county SUI
perintendents. His scheme asked for an appro-
priation of $4,000 at the outset, but the major
fty of the committee on education did not in
cline to favorable report The minority
Parker, Keison and Major however, recon-
mended the passage of the BILL and motion to
substitute the latter report for the former led to
discussion through several hours in
which nearly all the buncombe speak
ers of the House had chance to
put themselves on record. A great deal was said
about mercess school-book monopolies, and per
contra, the opponents of the measure held ten
aciously to the position that the State ought not
TO enter the field as publisher. The danger Of
township trustees, evidenced by recent expe-
rience. to listen to the persuasion of publishers
agents and the cost of school books were thor
oughly canvassed. When the motion to subst-
Sute the minority report came to a vote it re-
Puted favorabiy. Amendments were numerous
but all except one were voted down, those OF es-
pecial significance coming from Representatives
Brown and Van Slyke. The former wanted a
provision to the bill creating county board Of
education, consisting of the county superntend-
ont, township trustees and chairmen of school
districts in each town and city. He would give
to these boards such general control of the
schools, power to purchase all school furniture,
books, maps and charts. Representative Van
Slyke introduced an amendment that will make
1t obligatory on township trustees to pay for all
school books and supplies used by children of
families dependent township aid out of the
township fund. This prevailed Represent atiye
Gordon, who has a plan to lot the furnishing OF
3chool out by contract with publishers. moved to
kAAr ~Vs.tt 70 ~
report this morning measure covering this idea.
The motion WAS laid on the table and the bill
ordered engrossed
The regular Senate committee on benevolent
institutions has been fretting under the appoint
+ ment of special committee to conduct on in
vestigation that should come within its province,
Senators who train with the Smith Bailey coterie
have had about all they could to avoid dis
agreeable scene in their own party ranks
Senator Rahm. stanch Democrat, who has moi
been backward in promoting to a certain extent
The partisan work in the Senate, was chairman
of the committee until he. with Senators Cox
Howard of Decatur, and Dresser. the Last banned
Republican. refused to have any further charge
of affairs relating to the institutions Their
designations were promptly offered yesterday
afternoon, and disturbance followed thai
caused anxiety to the Senator in the chair, ane
Sepator Bailey on the floor Senator Sellers
moved Ia La q motion to accept the resignation
on the ,able but, afterwards withdrew it. Sen
ator Dresser stated th...tt the appointment Of I
special committee was reiee.saon on Inc regular
committed, sparticularly as two nssi1be..s OF tn'
latter Bailey and Sears, were made member o.
the committee. Senator Smith. from Jen-
Kings, disclaimed any intention of the kind
saying that the gentlemen OF the old committee
referred to were selected because they were
lawyers, and thought lawyers would be needed
In the investigation. AS a sequence. the act Of
the Senate, in adopting the Shiyely resolution
under which the special committee ap
pointed, was referred to when Senator Campbell
eaid that IS by the action complained of by tn,
regular committee the majority seemed to b,
unwilling to trust the regular committee on be
nevolent in situations. he wanted it to take res
kponsibility of the investigation. This remarl
nettlod tho Senator from Jennings, who sharpl,
Snnuired: 'yThy did you not make tn at speecl
when the resolution was adopted"
d IL MT III ;,,k ma or he